Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has launched an office in Abu Dhabi today (8 October).
The launch comes after the firm closed down its office in Dubai in January this year.
The US firm’s Abu Dhabi presence will be headed by corporate partner Natasha Kohne who has relocated from New York.
She will be joined by six lawyers including corporate partners Lee Kolodny and Elisabeth Cappuyns, who have moved from New York and Los Angeles respectively. Three associates from New York and London complete the line-up, with the firm hoping to grow the office to 20 lawyers over the next three to four years.
Bruce McLean, Akin Gump’s chairman said: “Akin Gump’s new office in Abu Dhabi represents a significant opportunity for the firm and its clients, given the Emirate’s important position in the Middle East, the speed with which it is growing commercially and the pace at which it is attracting companies and investors alike.
He added: “This is a long-term commitment made in response to demand from clients as well as a logical extension of our business platform internationally.”
The news follows a raft of firms launching or beefing up their operations in Abu Dhabi.
Last month Berwin Leighton Paisner announced they were to open in Abu Dhabi early next year. Allen & Overy meanwhile moved six partners and 14 associates to the region in September.
Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, DLA Piper, Ashurst, Norton Rose and Eversheds and US firms Hogan & Hartson and Latham & Watkins are among the firms receiving Abu Dhabi licenses over the last year.
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